In total, Jindal and his budget officers had to close a roughly $1.3 billion budget deficit.[2] To do this, the budget uses $424 million in revenue from sources that are only valid for this budget, and thus cannot be sustained into the next budget, to continue funding higher education. Jindal's proposal calls for a $75 million increase in tuition fees as well as the use of one-time money to cover short-term costs. The budget also relies on $781 million in savings from privatizing eight of the Louisiana State University system's ten hospitals. Only five agreements have been announced, and none of those are final yet.[3]

The budget proposal also seeks to sell state assets and earn $47 million. Jindal administration officials argue that the state has a smaller footprint now than in past years, and many of these properties would be used more efficiently in the private sector. Budget officers also noted that buyers had been identified already for most of these properties.[4] At least one property listed was slated for sale in last year's budget as well, but was not sold.[5]

The budget cuts nearly all state agencies, with particularly deep cuts in the Executive Department, the Secretary of State's office, the Attorney General's office, public safety services, and the Department of Economic Development. Louisiana State University's health care services are cut by over 90 percent, corresponding with the privatization of hospital services.[5][6] In terms of jobs, this budget calls for shedding just over 10,000 employees from state government, with the majority of those coming from the state's health care services.[7] Only the Department of Corrections and the Department of Natural Resources would receive more funds this year than in the last, if this proposal were to become law.[6]